Led by Director General Yu-Jiuan Lee of the Department of International and Cross-strait Education, Ministry of Education (MOE), and Chairperson Cheng-Chih Wu of the Foundation for International Cooperation in Higher Education of Taiwan (FICHET), a delegation of 27 representatives from 17 Taiwanese universities travelled to Europe to participate in the 2025 France-Taiwan Higher Education Leaders Forum. The event, co-organized by the MOE, FICHET, the Taipei Representative Office in France, the French Office in Taipei, France Universités, Campus France, and the University of Lille, took place in Lille, France, from June 16 to 17 and included both the forum and academic visits. Marking its fifth edition this year, the forum welcomed 48 representatives from 28 French higher education institutions, underscoring the longstanding and robust partnership between Taiwan and France.

Centered on the theme “Cultivating the Talents of Tomorrow,” the forum focused on three key areas: industry-academia collaboration, internships and mentorship systems, and cultural integration and international student well-being. The event aimed to facilitate exchange of experiences, highlight exemplary cases of bilateral cooperation, and showcase promising initiatives between Taiwan and France.

At the opening ceremony, Ambassador Pei-Chih Hao of the Taipei Representative Office in France, Director General Lee of MOE, and Chairperson Wu of FICHET delivered remarks emphasizing that France is one of Taiwan’s most important partners in Europe. They expressed hope that the occasion would foster stronger collaboration and further strengthen academic and research exchanges between the two nations.

Distinguished French participants included former French Minister for Higher Education and Research Sylvie Retailleau, Deputy Director General of Campus France Béatrice Khaiat, Vice President of France Universités Jean-François Huchet, and President of the University of Lille Régis Bordet. French representatives acknowledged Taiwan’s global leadership in high-tech sectors such as semiconductors, as well as its excellence in higher education, highlighting Taiwan as an indispensable partner for academic and scientific collaboration.

During the forum, several Taiwanese universities, including National Chung Cheng University,　 National Taipei University of Technology, National Taiwan University, National Taiwan Normal University, National Chi Nan University and Taipei Medical University signed Letter of intent or Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with the University of Lille to strengthen institutional partnerships and promote substantial collaboration.

On June 18, France Universités hosted an extension event at its Brussels office in Belgium. The meeting aimed to foster alignment and facilitate dialogue on higher education and research policy among Taiwan, France, and Europe. It also provided the Taiwanese delegation with valuable opportunities to directly engage with EU higher education institutions and explore innovative avenues for future collaboration.